Merkel: Europe must take on more global responsibility

BERLIN (AP) — German Chancellor Merkel says Europe can only master global challenges if it is willing to "take on more responsibility in the world in the future."

The chancellor spoke after receiving a joint honorary doctorate from the Belgian universities of Ghent and Leuven in Brussels on Thursday.

Among other things, she was cited for her defense of values that allow Europe to find unity in diversity.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel talks after she was given an honorary doctorate by the University of Leuven and the University of Ghent during an academic ceremony in Brussels on Thursday Jan. 12, 2017. Merkel received the honorary doctorate for her diplomatic and political efforts to develop the political strength of Europe, and to defend the values that allow Europe to find unity in diversity. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)

Merkel said it was naive to rely on other powers to help solve the many crises in the European Union's neighborhood, from wars to mass migration and terrorism.

She said that, "from the standpoint of some of our traditional partners — and I'm also thinking of our trans-Atlantic relations here — there is no eternal guarantee to closely work with us Europeans."

German Chancellor Angela Merkel talks after she was given an honorary doctorate by the University of Leuven and the University of Ghent during an academic ceremony in Brussels on Thursday Jan. 12, 2017. Merkel received the honorary doctorate for her diplomatic and political efforts to develop the political strength of Europe, and to defend the values that allow Europe to find unity in diversity. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, second left, walks in between the Rector of the University of Leuven Rik Torfs, center, and the Rector of the University of Ghent Anne De Paepe, left, as she arrives to receive an honorary doctorate during an academic ceremony in Brussels on Thursday Jan. 12, 2017. Merkel received the honorary doctorate for her diplomatic and political efforts to develop the political strength of Europe, and to defend the values that allow Europe to find unity in diversity. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, second left, is given an honorary doctorate by the Rector of the University of Leuven Rik Torfs, right, and the Rector of the University of Ghent Anne De Paepe during an academic ceremony in Brussels on Thursday Jan. 12, 2017. Merkel received the honorary doctorate for her diplomatic and political efforts to develop the political strength of Europe, and to defend the values that allow Europe to find unity in diversity. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, center, is given an honorary doctorate by the Rector of the University of Leuven Rik Torfs, right, and the Rector of the University of Ghent Anne De Paepe during an academic ceremony in Brussels on Thursday Jan. 12, 2017. Merkel received the honorary doctorate for her diplomatic and political efforts to develop the political strength of Europe, and to defend the values that allow Europe to find unity in diversity. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, second left, is given an honorary doctorate by the Rector of the University of Leuven Rik Torfs, right, and the Rector of the University of Ghent Anne De Paepe during an academic ceremony in Brussels on Thursday Jan. 12, 2017. Merkel received the honorary doctorate for her diplomatic and political efforts to develop the political strength of Europe, and to defend the values that allow Europe to find unity in diversity. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, left, is given an honorary doctorate by the Rector of the University of Leuven Rik Torfs, second left, and the Rector of the University of Ghent Anne De Paepe, during an academic ceremony in Brussels on Thursday Jan. 12, 2017. Merkel received the honorary doctorate for her diplomatic and political efforts to develop the political strength of Europe, and to defend the values that allow Europe to find unity in diversity. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, left, is given an honorary doctorate by the Rector of the University of Leuven Rik Torfs, center, and the Rector of the University of Ghent Anne De Paepe during an academic ceremony in Brussels on Thursday Jan. 12, 2017. Merkel received the honorary doctorate for her diplomatic and political efforts to develop the political strength of Europe, and to defend the values that allow Europe to find unity in diversity. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, left, is given an honorary doctorate by the Rector of the University of Leuven Rik Torfs, right, and the Rector of the University of Ghent Anne De Paepe during an academic ceremony in Brussels on Thursday Jan. 12, 2017. Merkel received the honorary doctorate for her diplomatic and political efforts to develop the political strength of Europe, and to defend the values that allow Europe to find unity in diversity. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, left, is given an honorary doctorate by the Rector of the University of Leuven Rik Torfs, second left, and the Rector of the University of Ghent Anne De Paepe, during an academic ceremony in Brussels on Thursday Jan. 12, 2017. Merkel received the honorary doctorate for her diplomatic and political efforts to develop the political strength of Europe, and to defend the values that allow Europe to find unity in diversity. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)